DND: scrap purchase of brand new missile frigates, 4 long years to deliver; buy second hand missile frigates for immediate use

THE DND SHOULD TAKE URGENT ACTION ON MODERNIZING OUR NAVY: Now that the DND has announced that the South China Sea situation is about to reach "tipping point" or boiling point, they should accelerate the AFP Modernization Program. They should scrap the plan to order two brand new missile frigates (budget P18B) that would take 3-4 years to build and instead go back to the original plan to buy 2 good second hand Maestrale missile frigates from Italy at P16B for immediate delivery. Deal is government to government so no possible hanky-panky or kickbacks, which some quarters suspect when the DND decided to order brand new from private shipbuilders in spite of long construction period when need is urgent. The Maestrale's weapons are world class and suited for the defense of the West Philippine Sea:

Armament: 4 × TESEO Mk-2 anti-ship missiles launchers
1 × octuple Aspide SAM launchers
1 × Otobreda 127 mm gun
2 × Oto Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO CIWS
2 × 533 mm torpedo tubes

2 × 324 mm triple torpedo tubes
Aircraft carried: 2 AB-212 helicopters